The Science of Martinifest

An online journal about visual art, the urban landscape and design. Mary Louise Schumacher, the Journal Sentinel's art and architecture critic, leads the discussion and a community of writers contribute to the dialogue.

The May issue of Scientific American has undertaken an investigation of "the dangers that drunken revelry poses to objects d'art" in the wake of the "calamity" that was Martinifest at the Milwaukee Art Museum.

Certain "hazardous materials" are apparently a "bad mix," according to the scientific journal. Written for the good of museums considering "boozefests" everywhere, the article focused on the dangers to paintings, which it must be said, were nowhere near MAM's Martinifest event. In fact, it is generally unthinkable for museums to have drink and food in proximity to paintings.

Alcohol can work as a solvent when it comes to paintings, creating a frosty appearance, the article stated. "Indiscriminately flung meats and cheeses" are difficult to clean from artworks, too, since the chemical properties of paint can be so similar, making it almost impossible to find a solvent that will remove one and not the other.

"The acid test, literally," the article went on to say, "comes when paintings encounter--how to put this delicately--an ipecascade." Stomach acids and digestive enzymes could be ruinous to some art, the article stated.

The damage to two bronze sculptures at MAM was minor, though, a slight loss of patina because of a liquid that was likely acidic, according to a statement by MAM's registrar.

I guess we can guess what that mystery liquid was now. Thanks Scientific American.

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Keep up with the art scene and trends in urban design with art and architecture critic Mary Louise Schumacher. Every week, you'll get the latest reviews, musings on architecture and her picks for what to do on the weekends.